Story highlights
20-month-old Ayla Reynolds was last reported seen more than a week ago
The Waterville, Maine, police chief says he hopes the reward will spur new leads
Ayla was last seen wearing green pajamas with white polka dots
"Like in most missing person cases, it concerns us as time goes on," the police chief says
Authorities in Waterville, Maine, on Monday offered a $30,000 reward for information that would lead investigators to find 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds.
The young girl was last reported seen more than a week ago, and police are now confident that someone was involved in taking Ayla from her house, said Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey.
“This is the largest reward that I can remember for a missing-person case in Maine’s history,” he told reporters. “I’m very hopeful that this will encourage anyone that has any information to call the Waterville police.”
Father has ‘no idea’ what happened to her
Ayla is described as having blond hair, being about 2 feet, 9 inches tall, and weighing 30 pounds. She was last seen wearing green pajamas with white polka dots and the words “Daddy’s Princess” across the front. When she disappeared, the girl had her arm in a soft cast.
Ayla’s family is cooperating, and police do not have anyone connected to the case in custody. Authorities have conducted dozens of searches so far, involving federal and local law enforcement.
Missing children’s advocate: Tot’s disappearance is not typical
Work to find the missing girl continued over the weekend with police sorting through leads, said Massey.
“Like in most missing person cases, it concerns us as time goes on,” the police chief said.